Having completed construction of its 263,000- square-foot production facility in Greensboro, N.C., earlier this year, Honda Aircraft has been busy building more HondaJets, accelerating the flight-test program and preparing to ramp up the assembly line for Honda's first foray into the aviation market.

Three years ago, Hawker Beechcraft began delivering what is arguably the best of the venerable 125-series aircraft: the Hawker 750. Performance and price both help to make this midsize-cabin model a strong contender.

A friend once recounted his story of a jump-seat ride aboard an Aeroflot airlines Tu-154 during the 1980s. After the Russian trijet had reached cruise altitude, the flight crew broke out a bottle of sherry and began celebrating, because they had managed to survive another takeoff in an airplane not known for its reliability.

Industry insiders and analysts believe the business and private jet industry will witness a resurgence in 2011 as a global economic recovery continues. Of course, if you toss into the mix more political unrest in the Middle East, the rising price of oil and European Union member nation bailouts, things could get a bit dicey.

Four years ago, when I last wrote about the Cessna Citation Mustang entry-level twin jet, customer deliveries had just begun. Since then, more than 500 have been ordered and about 300 have been delivered. I've had a chance to log some simulator, cockpit and cabin time and talk to several happy Mustang owners.

Gulfstream acquired the super-midsize G200 when it bought Galaxy Aerospace in 2001. The aircraft offered a unique value because its ovoid fuselage actually allows for more headroom than a full-size Gulfstream GIV (with a tube that is only two inches narrower), seating for eight to 10 passengers, true transcontinental range, a 45,000-foot ceiling and a top speed of Mach 0.85.